Harlem students brush up on new hands-free driving law

MACHESNEY PARK - About 50 students got a quick overview of the state's new law banning cellphone use while driving at Harlem High School Wednesday.

Students watched videos on the dangers of cellphone use while driving and got some driving advice from Donny Parham, a community service officer with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

Parham urged students not to use their phones at all while driving even though the law allows cellphone use with certain devices such as ear pieces - only in one ear - or plug-in speaker systems.

It's been illegal to text while driving in Illinois since 2010.

Students who attended the assembly received free tickets to a monster truck show coming to the BMO Harris Bank Center and were entered in a drawing to win two hands-free cellphone devices.

What they said

"It's been hard to make the switch. I deliver sandwiches so I was using my phone a lot to get directions to let people know where I was. I can't do that now. Now, I'll pull over or pull into a driveway. So far, people have been understanding. It might take longer to find a place because I can't do it while I'm driving."

- Jake Hancock, 18, senior at Harlem High School

"If you're using your cellphone, texting or engaging in conversation while you're driving down the road, you're suffering from the same effects that a drunk driver would be suffering from in terms of your driving ability."

- Donny Parham, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office community service officer.

More online

Visit rrstar.com/videos to see Parham addressing Harlem High School students.